An association between food policy and rice food balance sheet

Abstract

This research examines the association between food policy and the rice food balance sheet. Normative juridical analysis explains that the purpose of National Food Agency (BAPANAS) Regulation No. 7 of 2023 concerning the highest retail price of rice is to maintain the affordability of rice prices at the consumer level. In August 2023, the average retail price of rice in several provinces exceeded the highest retail price. The rice food balance sheet was estimated based on the production and consumption of rice in 34 provinces in Indonesia. Production and consumption of rice were calculated from BPS-Statistics Indonesia data on wet unhusked grain (GKP) and the population of Indonesia by province. In 2022, the rice food balance sheet estimation showed a rice surplus in 11 provinces and a rice deficit in 23 provinces. The provinces with the largest surplus of rice are South Sulawesi, Central Java, and East Java. The provinces with the largest rice deficits are Jakarta, Riau, and North Sumatra. Local governments experiencing rice deficits should coordinate with various stakeholders to ensure the availability and affordability of rice in their respective provinces. State-owned enterprises must help maintain the government’s rice reserves, especially in provinces with rice deficits.